HOMILY OF 17TH FRIDAY ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: GOD CHANGES CONDITIONS
BY: Fr. Paul Karabari
‘Is not this the carpenter’s son?’
Sociologists and psychologists tell us that human behaviour is largely determined by two things: our parents and our environment. Sometimes, and wrongly so, the respect people receive from others depends on their background. Judging by that, you should understand why Jesus was assessed with contempt by His own people in the Gospel of today (Matt. 13:54-58). When His people saw His wisdom and power, they immediately reflected on His low background and wondered how He could be so gifted, having grown up from a low state of life with no refined exposure. They ‘see am finish’. The word of God says, ‘they took offence at him.’ Why do you hate someone simply because he is blessed? And that is just the offence?
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We all need to understand that with God, neither genes nor environment can prevent anyone from becoming anything God intends that person to be. That is because God is a turnaround specialist! He rewrites history. He changes conditions and backgrounds. Maybe you were born in less-than-ideal circumstances, and you are wondering if you can ever overcome anything in life. The answer is yes! So the next time someone tries to use your background to put you down, remind them about this.
The truth is, God can lift the disadvantaged higher than those who have had every possible advantage. His strength is revealed and released in our weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). He specialises in using those who have been rejected. He used Joseph, a man thrown into a pit by his brothers and written off by his father as dead. He used David, a shepherd boy alienated and ignored by his family. He used Jesus, ‘the stone the builders rejected’ (Psalm 118:22), who went on to become ‘the chief cornerstone’ (Luke 20:17). And He can do the same for you. So be encouraged; God has a plan for your life, and as you spend time with Him, He will show you what it is. There are no limits to what God can do in your life. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God bless us and keep us always. May we enjoy the maternal patronage of Our Lady of Victory through Christ Our Lord Amen.
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